36 Women Leading India’s Unicorn and Soonicorn Revolution

India’s startup ecosystem is being transformed by women entrepreneurs, with ventures led by women securing over $930 million in 2024. From fintech to edtech, these trailblazers are driving innovation and growth, reshaping industries like beauty, logistics, and healthcare. Key figures include Amrita Sirohia of INDmoney, Falguni Nayar of Nykaa, and Divya Gokulnath of BYJU’S. Supported by policies and initiatives, women are breaking barriers and building unicorns and soonicorns. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate their resilience, creativity, and impact on India’s entrepreneurial landscape.

36 Women Leading India’s Unicorn and Soonicorn Revolution

India’s startup scene is undergoing a remarkable transformation, fueled by women entrepreneurs who are breaking barriers and steering some of the country’s most valuable unicorns and soonicorns. In 2024 alone, women-led ventures raised over $930 million across 136 deals, marking a 94% increase from the previous year. With supportive initiatives such as the Union Budget 2025’s loan program for first-time SC/ST entrepreneurs and over 73,000 startups with women directors, these trailblazers are reshaping the future of innovation and growth.

Pioneers Shaping the Future

Amrita Sirohia (INDmoney)

Amrita Sirohia, co-founder of the fintech platform INDmoney, shifted from a 14-year career at HSBC to build a comprehensive app for financial management, offering investment solutions in stocks, mutual funds, and global markets. Backed by Tiger Global, the platform reflects her vision of making wealth management accessible.

Deena Jacob (Open Financial Technologies)

With two decades of experience in finance, Deena Jacob co-founded Open, a neobank transforming SME banking. Previously the CFO at Tapzo (acquired by Amazon), Jacob’s expertise has been instrumental in scaling fintech solutions.

Divya Gokulnath (BYJU’S)

Divya Gokulnath’s transition from an engineer to a leading force in edtech helped BYJU’S achieve a $22 billion valuation. Her focus on tech-driven education has reshaped learning on a global scale.

Falguni Nayar (Nykaa)

Falguni Nayar, from investment banking to leading Nykaa, India’s first woman-led unicorn, revolutionized beauty e-commerce. With a net worth of $2.9 billion, her continued dominance in retail is reflected in Nykaa’s strong financial performance in FY25.

Garima Sawhney (Pristyn Care)

Garima Sawhney co-founded Pristyn Care, a healthtech unicorn that streamlines surgical care across 42 cities. Her unique dual role as both a doctor and an entrepreneur showcases her commitment to accessible healthcare.

Gazal Kalra (Rivigo/Nuuk)

After co-founding the logistics unicorn Rivigo (later acquired by Mahindra Logistics), Gazal Kalra launched Nuuk, a home appliances brand. Her ability to pivot across industries highlights her entrepreneurial skill.

Ghazal Alagh (Mamaearth)

Ghazal Alagh turned Mamaearth into a well-known brand by focusing on toxin-free products. A mentor to many startups and an investor on Shark Tank India, she supports over 14 ventures, spanning sectors from sustainable farming to AI.

Kanika Gupta Shori (Square Yards)

Kanika Gupta Shori’s proptech venture, Square Yards, is simplifying real estate transactions worldwide. Her background at ICICI Bank and Wharton University fuels the company’s global mission to digitize the property market.

Kavitha Subramanian (Upstox)

Kavitha Subramanian helped Upstox democratize stock trading, leading the platform to unicorn status in 2021. Her previous roles at Actis and LeapFrog Investments played a key role in its success.

Mabel Chacko (Open Financial Technologies)

Serial entrepreneur Mabel Chacko co-founded Open after building multiple fintech ventures. Her efforts to simplify banking for SMEs played a crucial role in Open’s achievement of unicorn status as India’s 100th unicorn.

Manju Dhawan (Ecom Express)

With 25 years of experience at Blue Dart, Manju Dhawan co-founded Ecom Express, a logistics company serving Tier 2 markets. The company’s upcoming IPO marks another major milestone in her illustrious career.

Meghna Agarwal (IndiQube)

Meghna Agarwal’s IndiQube is reshaping the flexible workspace sector, serving clients like Myntra and Zerodha. Her varied entrepreneurial background, from mineral manufacturing to recruitment, shows her diverse expertise.

Neeru Sharma (Infibeam Avenues)

Neeru Sharma’s soonicorn, Infibeam Avenues, powers digital payments for major companies like IndiGo and Myntra. Her journey from Amazon to entrepreneurship reflects her tech-focused approach.

Nikita Prasad (Giva)

Nikita Prasad’s D2C jewelry brand, Giva, combines tradition with modern design, offering lab-grown diamonds and silver jewelry. With over 100 stores, her brand has a pan-Indian presence.

Pallavi Shrivastava (Progcap)

Pallavi Shrivastava’s Progcap offers credit solutions for SMEs, reaching over 800,000 retailers. Her World Bank experience drove her mission to bridge financial gaps in underserved markets.

Prukalpa Sankar (Atlan)

Prukalpa Sankar’s data collaboration platform Atlan hit a $750 million valuation in 2024. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, her earlier venture, SocialCops, laid the foundation for data-driven governance.

Priya Singh (Chalo)

Priya Singh transformed urban mobility through Chalo’s real-time bus tracking and digital payment solutions. Her advisory role at the World Economic Forum underscores her influence beyond the tech space.

Rajoshi Ghosh (Hasura)

Rajoshi Ghosh’s Hasura, a GraphQL unicorn, simplifies API development for developers worldwide. Her diverse background, spanning bioinformatics and food tech, fuels her passion for solving complex challenges.

Rashi Agarwal (Zypp Electric)

Rashi Agarwal’s Zypp Electric operates a fleet of electric vehicles, supporting sustainable logistics for companies like Swiggy and Zomato. Her prior startup, LetsFlaunt, shows her innovative spirit.

Ruchi Kalra (OfBusiness/Oxyzo)

Ruchi Kalra co-founded dual unicorns—OfBusiness and Oxyzo—which are redefining B2B commerce and fintech. Her angel investments in other startups further solidify her role in the ecosystem.

Saritha Katikaneni (Zenoti)

Saritha Katikaneni’s Zenoti provides SaaS solutions to spas and salons, used by over 12,000 businesses globally. Her marketing expertise propelled Zenoti to unicorn status, inspiring other women in tech.

Vineeta Singh (SUGAR Cosmetics)

Vineeta Singh’s omnichannel strategy made SUGAR Cosmetics a major player in beauty. As a Shark Tank India investor, she champions new innovators, supporting startups like Padcare Labs and Snitch.

Vrushali Prasade (Pixis)

Vrushali Prasade’s AI-driven company, Pixis, helps brands optimize marketing strategies. Her previous ventures in gaming tech show her adaptability and deep knowledge of emerging technologies.

A Legacy of Innovation

These women exemplify perseverance and creativity, driving India’s startup growth while inspiring future generations. From fintech and edtech to logistics and beauty, their contributions highlight the boundless potential of women-led innovation. On International Women’s Day, we honor their remarkable journeys—driven by ambition, determination, and transformative impact.